Spirit of Tasmania: Claims foreign workers being flown in for refurbishments despite promises to use locals

Government plays down $31.5 million for Spirit of Tasmania refurbishment.

Just days away from the unveiling of the first of the upgraded Spirit of Tasmania Bass Strait ferries, there are claims up to 100 foreign tradesmen have been carrying out the work.

Unions claim up to 100 eastern European workers are sleeping on the Spirit of Tasmania 1 while it is in dry dock in Sydney.

UK-based multi-national company Trimline won the $30 million lead contract and promised to use mainly Tasmanian workers.

But Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) Tasmania secretary John Short said the claims were a huge concern.

I think there needs to be an inquiry about it because we've got one of the highest rates of unemployment in Australia.
AMWU Tasmania secretary John Short
"If what we're hearing is true it's a national bloody disgrace because the work was promised to Tasmanians," he said.

"How did that happen?

"How did it happen that those workers were not sourced from Tasmania?"

A passenger who travelled on the ship to Devonport on its last voyage before dry dock said he saw first hand dozens of workers who had just arrived from Estonia.

He told the ABC they were sleeping on the floor of the recliner area with their luggage around them.

A crew member informed him they were here for the "refurb" and had just gotten off a plane at Tullamarine hours earlier.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) organiser Richie Hassett said the State Government had questions to answer.

"There's up to 80 to 100 foreign workers being used on that project," he said.

"The company said from the very start that there was going to be a specialised crew of about a dozen workers come over from overseas.

"We would like the Government to come clean to the Tasmanian people and answer the question as to why there was a need for foreign workers."